Frost, fog signal seasonal shift

Southern Tier residents woke Sunday to frost and fog, twin indicators of the seasonal shift from summer to fall.

On the first day of October, Alfred and Andover reported lows of 29 degrees, among the lowest in the region, according to the National Weather Service. Hornell reached a low of 36 degrees, according to the weather service. Frost advisories had been posted for Steuben County and regions east. Freeze warnings had been posted for Allegany County and areas to the west.

Campers stepping out of their cabins at Kanakadea Park in Almond observed a picturesque combination of frosty fields and filaments of fog rising eerily from the Almond Dam. Maple leaves that had fallen to the ground appeared sugar-dusted by the frost.

While the frost coated leaves on the ground, the fog formed tree shapes visible high above the earth. Satellite images shared on-line by the National Weather Service’s Binghamton office showed a “classic dendritic pattern,” with the fog pattern resembling tree branches. The NWS stated that this pattern is typical of valley fog which develops “during nights favorable for radiational cooling – conditions of clear skies and light winds.”

After another chilly morning today, gardeners who scrambled to cover delicate outdoor plants should be able to put away the sheets and tarps. The weather service states that “temperatures will gradually warm to above normal from Monday through the middle of the week.”

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